Sharm el Sheikh

Also known simply as ‘Sharm’, it is the last piece to complete Egypt’s jigsaw as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. History buffs and pilgrims flock to the rest of the country for its Pharaonic and spiritual allure, while Sharm attracts those looking for drastic landscapes, outdoor activities and parties.

Events and attractions in Sharm el Sheikh

Ras Mohamed National Park

Declared a nature reserve in 1983 and Egypt’s first marine national park in 1989, Ras (Arabic for ‘head’) Mohamed is a 480 sq km peninsula of land and sea enveloping magical lagoons filled with 1,000 species of fish and 150 types of coral and fossils dating back 20 million years. Divers really get to see the best the sea has to offer such as the Thistlegorm boat discovered by Jacques Cousteau, but it has some great snorkelling as well.

Tiran Island

A full-day boat trip to the small Tiran Island is a worthwhile alternative to Ras Mohamed, especially for snorkelling. The island itself does not have much more than sand, but the surrounding waters are filled with terrific reef in shallow waters. The boat ride usually stops at two other reef shelves before arriving at the island and includes lunch. Some tour groups offer half-day trips, but the full day is worth the extra time and costs about the same.

Mount Sinai & St Catherine’s Monastery

There are safari day expeditions to the mountain of Moses and the Ten Commandments, but a night trip enables a climb up for a stunning sunrise. Be sure to bring sleeping bags or blankets because it reaches 0-10 degrees at night. St Catherine’s Monastery dates back to AD337 after the Byzantine Empress Helena ordered it built around the Burning Bush. Monks still live here to this day and it has a religious library surpassed only by the Vatican.

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